Healthy Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Name: Healthy Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 min
Ingredients: 1 cup natural salted peanut butter or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free) (If using unsalted, add a rounded 1/4 tsp fine sea salt.); 1 cup brown rice syrup; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 7 to 7 ½ cups crispy brown rice cereal (See brand recommendations in post above.)

The whole family will love these healthy vegan rice krispie treats! They're chewy, just sweet enough, made with 4 wholesome ingredients, and totally irresistible - no marshmallows needed! With only 15 minutes of prep time and an allergy-friendly option, these vegan rice crispy treats are perfect for parties and lunch boxes!

a stack of 4 vegan rice krispie squares.

This recipe was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated with new content and photos.

A Healthier Rice Crispy Treat

Crispy, chewy, sweet, salty, and oh so good. If the kids are begging for a sweet snack or you need an easy potluck dessert that travels well, vegan rice krispie treats are the answer!

Brown rice syrup and nut or seed butter replace the marshmallows and butter found in other rice crispy treat recipes. Not only do these swaps make this recipe much healthier, they also make it vegan!

These healthy rice krispie treats are also gluten-free, oil-free, and can be nut-free, so they're perfect when you need an allergy-friendly dessert.

looking down at two treats stacked on a wooden board.

Credit to the Original

Years ago I came across Dreena Burton's recipe for Nicer Krispie Squares, a healthy, vegan version of the classic treat. Instead of the macadamia nut or coconut butter called for in her recipe, I subbed peanut butter, and the rest is history.

I can't even venture a guess at the number of times I've made these over the years (my friends can attest). They're just so darn good! Best of all, they're also amazing with sunbutter.

Ingredient Notes

You need just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up a batch.

labeled photo of the four ingredients needed for this recipe.

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Crispy Rice Cereal - to keep our krispie treats as healthy as possible, I go with brown rice cereal over regular rice krispies. I know of three brands that make a crispy brown rice cereal (these are Amazon links): Barbara's, 365 (Whole Foods), and One Degree, but there may be others. Note: make sure you buy crispy rice cereal not puffed rice.
Brown Rice Syrup - this is critical for super sticky rice krispie treats. It is possible to substitute maple syrup, but the texture won't be the same. Maple syrup is also much sweeter than brown rice syrup, so you'll need to adjust the amount to taste. You can usually find brown rice syrup online, at Whole Foods, and often at local health food stores.
Nut or Seed Butter - my favorite way to make these is with natural, salted peanut butter, but you can also use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. *If using unsalted nut/seed butter add about ¼ teaspoon of salt to the wet mixture.
Vanilla Extract - optional but it does make them taste more like traditional krispie treats.

How To Make Rice Crispy Treats Without Marshmallows

2 photo collage of mixing wet ingredients then adding cereal.

Combine the nut/seed butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla in a large pot. While stirring, cook over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, just until warm.
Remove the pot from heat, and stir in the rice cereal. Stir until all the cereal is incorporated.

2 photo collage of pressing mixture into a 9 by 13 glass casserole dish.

Spoon the mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish lined with parchment paper. Alternatively, use two 8-inch square pans.
Firmly press the mixture into the dish. A spatula works well for this, along with a small piece of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate the krispie treats uncovered for about 30 minutes or until firm and set. Then cut into squares and serve.

close up side view of 2 nice krispie squares.

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats FAQs

Can I use regular rice krispies instead of brown rice cereal?

Absolutely! Feel free to use whichever crispy rice cereal you can find. Just don't use puffed rice, as it's much softer.

Is brown rice syrup necessary?

For the best, most authentic texture I highly recommend brown rice syrup for this recipe. Maple syrup may be used, but it's not as thick and sticky, so the treats will be much softer. Also, since maple is much sweeter I recommend starting with less syrup, then tasting and adjusting as needed.

What type of nut butter should I use?

I prefer to use natural, salted, smooth peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter) to make these, but crunchy is also fine. Also make sure it's fairly runny, not thick or dry. If you're using an unsalted variety, simply add a rounded ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Can I freeze rice krispie treats?

Yes, krispie treats can be frozen for up to two or three months. Make sure they are wrapped very well and protected from air. Then thaw and enjoy!

More ways to use brown rice syrup:

More healthy vegan desserts:

Recipe

close up stack of 4 rice krispie squares

Healthy Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen

Adapted from one of my all-time favorite sweet treats, Dreena Burton's Healthy Rice Krispie Squares, these irresistible vegan rice crispy treats will be an instant family favorite! They travel well, are a great option when you need something quick for a party or potluck, and are always a hit with vegans and non-vegans, alike. Gluten-free and oil-free with a nut-free option.

5 from 9 votes

Servings: squares

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 2

chill time: 30

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Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup natural salted peanut butter or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free) - If using unsalted, add a rounded ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt.
1 cup brown rice syrup
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
7 to 7 ½ cups crispy brown rice cereal - See brand recommendations in post above.

Instructions

Line a 9x13 rectangular dish or two 8x8 baking pans with parchment paper. Allow paper to overhang the edges for easy removal.
In a large soup or stock pot combine the nut/seed butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Stirring frequently, cook over medium-low heat until warm and smooth, about 2 or 3 minutes.
Remove from heat, and stir in 7 cups of the cereal. Continue mixing until the cereal is fully incorporated. If the mixture seems too wet and sticky, add another ½ cup cereal.
Transfer the mixture to the lined pan(s) and press down evenly. A flat object like a spatula makes this easy. Use a small piece of parchment paper underneath the spatula to prevent sticking.
Refrigerate the rice krispies uncovered until firm and cool, about 30 minutes. Then lift out onto a cutting board, and cut into squares. Serve now or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

Ingredient Notes

Make sure you buy crispy rice cereal not puffed rice.

If using unsalted nut/seed butter add a heaping ¼ teaspoon of salt to the wet mixture.

Batch Size

To make these in an 8x8 pan simply divide the ingredient amounts in half. If you're making these for a party or for a household of more than 1 or 2 people, I highly recommend making the full batch!

Storage and Freezing

Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.